Thrillist recently ranked every state of the union by its beer... Photo-6266174.92357 - seattlepi.com

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20. Texas

When this Washingtonian visited Texas for the first time, the state's iconic beers, such as Shiner Bock and Lone Star, could not hold a candle even to a simple Manny's Pale Ale. But Thrillist says the state has some legit brews coming from places like Jester King, Saint Arnold and Deep Ellum. less

20. Texas

When this Washingtonian visited Texas for the first time, the state's iconic beers, such as Shiner Bock and Lone Star, could not hold a candle even to a simple Manny's Pale Ale. But Thrillist says the ... more

Photo: Scott Olson, Getty

20. Texas When this Washingtonian visited Texas for the first... Photo-6776136.92357 - seattlepi.com

Indiana doesn't connote instinctual images of hipster nanobrewers, but apparently the state is well represented by lambics from Upland, bourbon-barreled stout by Shoreline and the stouts and IPAs of Three Floyds. Maybe the NASCAR swill will get classier. less

18. Indiana

Indiana doesn't connote instinctual images of hipster nanobrewers, but apparently the state is well represented by lambics from Upland, bourbon-barreled stout by Shoreline and the stouts and IPAs of ... more

Thrillist name-drops breweries such as 7venth Sun and Rapp as shining stars in the sunshine state's beer scene, as well as Funky Buddha's Maple Bacon Coffee Porter, which sounds like a breakfast beer. However, the list hails Cigar City out of Tampa as the beacon of them all. less

17. Florida

Thrillist name-drops breweries such as 7venth Sun and Rapp as shining stars in the sunshine state's beer scene, as well as Funky Buddha's Maple Bacon Coffee Porter, which sounds like a breakfast ... more

Foothills, Fullsteam, Big Boss, Highland and Mother Earth are all recommended breweries in North Carolina. Thrillist advises beer lovers to try Foothills' Jade IPA. Or go to Sam's Quik Shop in Durham, hailed as one of America's coolest places to buy beer. less

15. North Carolina

Foothills, Fullsteam, Big Boss, Highland and Mother Earth are all recommended breweries in North Carolina. Thrillist advises beer lovers to try Foothills' Jade IPA. Or go to Sam's Quik Shop in ... more

Though Chicago's beloved Goose Island sold out to Anheuser-Busch in 2011, it remains a lauded fixture in the Midwest beer scene. Half Acre, Revolution and Pipeworks are indie breweries soaring in popularity. less

13. Illinois

Though Chicago's beloved Goose Island sold out to Anheuser-Busch in 2011, it remains a lauded fixture in the Midwest beer scene. Half Acre, Revolution and Pipeworks are indie breweries soaring in ... more

Though Great Lakes holds down much of Ohio's beer scene, other like Fat Head's, Hoppin' Frog and Indigo Imp keep things interesting.

12. Ohio

Though Great Lakes holds down much of Ohio's beer scene, other like Fat Head's, Hoppin' Frog and Indigo Imp keep things interesting.

Photo: Michael S. Williamson, Getty

12. Ohio Though Great Lakes holds down much of Ohio's beer... Photo-6776149.92357 - seattlepi.com

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11. Missouri

Though Missouri is home to some of American beer's biggest crap-beer empires, popular little guys such as Boulevard, Schlafly and Perennial hold their own, Thrillist says.

11. Missouri

Though Missouri is home to some of American beer's biggest crap-beer empires, popular little guys such as Boulevard, Schlafly and Perennial hold their own, Thrillist says.

Photo: JOE AMON, Getty

11. Missouri Though Missouri is home to some of American... Photo-6776146.92357 - seattlepi.com

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10. Massachusetts

Sam Adams is sooooo mainstream to nerdy craft beer lovers, but it was a pioneer in the modern good-beer movement. It paved the way for other breweries on the scene like Harpoon, Night Shift, Clown Shoes, Trillium and Jack’s Abby. less

10. Massachusetts

Sam Adams is sooooo mainstream to nerdy craft beer lovers, but it was a pioneer in the modern good-beer movement. It paved the way for other breweries on the scene like Harpoon, Night Shift, ... more

From upstate to Brooklyn, small breweries continue to push the boundaries in New York. Though Blue Point Brewery sold out to Anheuser-Busch (sound familiar?), indie Brooklyn Brewery has found an international audience on its own and others like Captain Lawrence and Evil Twin keep things interesting. less

9. New York

From upstate to Brooklyn, small breweries continue to push the boundaries in New York. Though Blue Point Brewery sold out to Anheuser-Busch (sound familiar?), indie Brooklyn Brewery has found an ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty

9. New York From upstate to Brooklyn, small breweries continue... Photo-6776143.92357 - seattlepi.com

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8. Pennsylvania

Ah, home of Yuengling. Despite several crappy beer-pong varieties originating in Pennsylvania, Thrillist says the state has better alternatives like Tröegs, Stoudt’s, Yards, Victory, Voodoo, Sly Fox and Weyerbacher. less

8. Pennsylvania

Ah, home of Yuengling. Despite several crappy beer-pong varieties originating in Pennsylvania, Thrillist says the state has better alternatives like Tröegs, Stoudt’s, Yards, Victory, Voodoo, ... more

It's not surprising that this state, with a rich beer history, continues to hold its own. After the old Wisconsin stalwarts died out, sold out or moved out, smaller operations cropped up to fill in the void, like New Glarus. Miller bought Leinenkugel last year. less

7. Wisconsin

It's not surprising that this state, with a rich beer history, continues to hold its own. After the old Wisconsin stalwarts died out, sold out or moved out, smaller operations cropped up to fill in ... more

Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery, Getty

7. Wisconsin It's not surprising that this state, with a... Photo-6776131.92357 - seattlepi.com

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6. Vermont

In addition to its awesomeness cred as home of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Vermont also contains more breweries per capita than any other state. The Alchemist has a cult following and Thrillist also reccomends Magic Hat, Long Trail, Lawson’s Finest Liquids and Hill Farmstead. less

6. Vermont

In addition to its awesomeness cred as home of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Vermont also contains more breweries per capita than any other state. The Alchemist has a cult following and Thrillist also ... more

Photo: Boston Globe, Getty

6. Vermont In addition to its awesomeness cred as home of Ben... Photo-6776135.92357 - seattlepi.com

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5. Washington

*Sigh* You would think that producing the vast majority of America's hops and the existence of Ballard's beer scene would be enough to carry Washington to the top, but apparently Thrillist needs more from us.

But we have plenty to be proud of. After the one-two punch of the outsourcing of Oly and Rainier, Washington came back to produce even better beers. After institutions like Red Hook, Pyramid, Elysian, Fish and Pike went gangbusters, there is now a surge of microbreweries and nanobreweries throughout the state, with a particular hotbed in Seattle.

Washington has fabulous breweries everywhere -- we have more than 200 of them -- but Seattleites have plenty to choose from. If you're in the city, check out our guides to local beer here and here. less

5. Washington

*Sigh* You would think that producing the vast majority of America's hops and the existence of Ballard's beer scene would be enough to carry Washington to the top, but apparently Thrillist needs ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM

5. Washington *Sigh* You would think that producing the vast... Photo-6196620.92357 - seattlepi.com

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4. Michigan

Thrillist says Grand Rapids alone is a beer destination and that Bell's Two-Hearted is among the world's best IPAs.

4. Michigan

Thrillist says Grand Rapids alone is a beer destination and that Bell's Two-Hearted is among the world's best IPAs.

This defeat might sting Washingtonians a little, but you know that every craft beer lover here loves at least one Oregonian brew.

Deschutes, Rogue and Ninkasi are mainstays. Then you've got Full Sail, Widmer Brothers and Bend. Also Pelican, Breakside, Hair of the Dog, Cascade -- OK, Oregon. We'll let you have it this time. Just this once. less

1. Oregon

This defeat might sting Washingtonians a little, but you know that every craft beer lover here loves at least one Oregonian brew.

Deschutes, Rogue and Ninkasi are mainstays. Then you've got Full Sail, ... more